Ōpunakē Primary School pupils given ‘final warning’ from bus company over behaviour
A Taranaki school says it has received a “final warning” over the behaviour of pupils from the school bus company and is pleading with parents to speak to their children.
Ōpunakē Primary School principal Anna Stockman sent a public letter to parents and caregivers today about “excessive” noise levels and behaviour of pupils on the school bus.
Stockman said she has spoken to the bus company, Pickering Motors, about bus drivers’ concerns.
“I have had communication from the Pickerings [sic] Motors, the bus company, this morning that the noise levels and behaviour on the school buses is excessive,” she wrote in the letter, which was posted to the school’s Facebook page.
“The bus drivers have tried asking … the students to lower the noise level. Our staff have spoken to the students about keeping the volume down, staying in their seats, not throwing objects around a moving vehicle and keeping their hands and feet to themselves. I’m sure parents and caregivers have chatted to their children as well.”
Stockman said the company has “advised that this is a final warning”.
“If the noise level does not drop to a safe level, they will start to stand the students down from the bus for one week. If this happens, it will be the parent/caregiver’s responsibility to get their children to and from school for the period of the stand down.
“We understand that this would cause added financial pressure and a huge inconvenience for whānau. Please have a chat with your children about this consequence and remind them that we must ensure the bus ride is safe for all involved.
“Thanks in advance for your ongoing support in this matter.”
When contacted by the Herald,Stockman said the school “will not be commenting” further. Pickering Motors has been approached for comment.
Ōpunakē Primary School has over 160 pupils based on last year’s school roll. Ōpunakē is a small town on the southwest coast of Taranaki.